Tuesday, July 19, 2016

If you have “silver” fillings in your mouth, you’re well aware of how
they affect your smile. Shiny, right!? If you’ve ever thought about
having them removed, and had any concerns as to whether it was the right
thing to do, the safe thing to do, or even an affordable thing to do,
we’re here to help. We’ll cover these questions, and a few other common
concerns that tend to pop up when the dentist is asked: “Can you do
anything about all that metal in my mouth?”

How much does it cost?

The cost to remove an old amalgam filling and replace it with resin,
varies. But, you should expect it to fall somewhere between $115 and
$300. Here’s an interesting online dental cost calculator you could play around with to get a feel for what you could be looking at in your market. You can also contact us to get an exact quote.

Are there risks involved in removing fillings?

Yes. Generally speaking, if an amalgam filling remains strong and free
of decay, the Food and Drug Administration recommends it be left alone.
Disturbing a successful filling means a greater portion of the tooth
would need to be removed, and working on an amalgam filling can also exposing you to mercury vapor you could otherwise avoid.

But, which is safer? Amalgam or Resin?

This is the perennial question. With amalgam, there is concern over the metals used, and with resin it's the BPA.
The American Dental Association has information regarding the safety
and efficacy of both solutions, so if this issue concerns you, you can
get an accurate understanding of the risks by clicking the links above.
Coming to a conclusion that’s right for you is something only you can
do. So, educate yourself as much as possible, using Eagle Valley Dental web site and well-researched medical sites to help you get there.

When it really comes down to it, the decision as to whether to leave in
or switch out amalgam fillings with resin is up to you and your dentist. Your
X-rays, the health of your gum tissue, and your teeth and bone structure
will be shared with you; and one of our Woodbury Mn dentists would help you decide as to what’s best for you. After all, your teeth are as unique as you are!

Monday, July 11, 2016

On July 3rd, 1806, two years into their journey to chart the
unchartered West of America, pioneer explorers Meriwether Lewis and
William Clark reached a challenge of epic proportion – the Rocky
Mountains. What next, they wondered? Without a map, they were forced to
do what explorers do – explore, and hope for the best. So, that got us
thinking. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a handy map you could use to chart
your own dental health? With that in mind, and in honor of our “Dog
Days of Summer” explorers, here are a few mile markers you can use to
stay on top of your health today, next year, and for years to come!

18-25 years old

This is a time where work, college, and sometimes marriage start to get
in the way of our parental-guided dental care regimens. It’s also a time
when even as college students, we tend to find money for the things we
“want” instead of the things we “need.” Given that we’re generally
healthy at this time in our lives, there isn’t too much we have to worry
about when we visit the dentist. Yet here are a few conversations you
might want to have with the doctor when you come in for your periodic
cleaning:

Preventative dentistry: Are your wisdom teeth
fully grown or are they just starting to make their way out? Have your
doctor provide a prognosis on how they will affect things. Depending on
your individual situation, you may benefit from getting them removed to
avoid future orthodontic problems.

Cosmetic dentistry:
Are there imperfections in your smile that you always wanted to correct
as a teen? Now that your permanent are fully grown and stable, you may
want to talk to your doctor about cosmetic options like veneers, bonding and whitening procedures.

26-39 years old

These are the years where decades of wear-and-tear start to catch up with you.
They’re also bridge years for having kids, and you’ll feel as though
life is pulling you in a million directions. Ignoring the dentist during
this timeframe is risky. Here’s how you can stay ahead of the game:

Cosmetic dentistry:
Consult with your dentist about cosmetic services like teeth whitening,
veneers, etc. And, don’t let the “costmetic” banner scare you off.
Something as simple as bonding
can help seal-in worn away enamel and spaces between teeth – both which
can lead to erosion and cavities. Best of all, these procedures can be
done in a snap with the technology available in your dentist’s office.

Restorative dentistry: If you have an old crown, root canal or filling, you might need to have it tuned-up or replaced. Many practices offer same day restorations that will have you off and running in no time.

Start thinking about maintenance:
Sonic toothbrushes, oral irrigators, disclosing tablets, Xylitol gum
are all items that can keep your teeth healthy year after year. Consider
investing in a few of them and use them regularly as you move into your
forties.

40-65 years old

With maintenance and repair top of mind, you’ll want to start to educate
yourself on the sort of procedures that will help you keep your healthy
teeth, and strengthen or replace those that are weak. Consider:

Preventative Dentistry: Consider an oral cancer screening
with one of the advanced technologies on the market. These two-minute
exams just might literally save your life. Here are some things to know
about protecting yourself from this form of cancer that’s on the rise.

65+ years old

At this age, you’ll need to consider a multi-disciplined approach to
your dental care. Aside from aging teeth, you may also have other health
concerns that disrupt your typically healthy mouth. Some things to
consider are:

More vigilant in-office routines: You may need to increase the frequency of your cleaning visits – ask your doctor for their best advice.

Systemic Health Education: There is a link between oral health and other health factors, so be sure to keep your dentist in the loop with regard to all medications you’re taking, and particularly keep them informed as to any heart disease, diabetes,
or other conditions you may have. Most importantly, because your mouth
is the “window” to the rest of your body, your dentist can sometimes
discover these conditions in their early stages because of the effects
they have on the mouth. So, please don’t neglect your visits at this
age!

Staying on top of your oral health isn’t as hard as you think, and if
you keep this schedule of events to watch out for handy, you’ll be ahead
of most of your neighbors when it comes to a healthy mouth and body.
Come to think of it … why not share it with them as well? They’ll thank
you for the help!